• Article Photo. Teenproof participants look for signs of drug abuse in a simulated teen bedroom Tuesday evening.
    Teenproof participants look for signs of drug abuse in a simulated teen bedroom Tuesday evening.

 

Nearly fifty Vinton-Shellsburg parents learned more about the latest ways that some teenagers are trying to abuse drugs and alcohol – and how to misuse legal substances – during an presentation Tuesday evening.

The “Teenproof” event, sponsored by the Benton County Above the Influence Coalition, gave parents an opportunity to look for signs of drug abuse in a model bedroom set up on the VSHS stage.

The participants were asked to identify as many as 12 signs that the occupant of the room was using drugs or alcohol or abusing other substances. They then discussed what they saw, and how those items could be indicators of abuse.

They also heard from ASAC Prevention Specialist Curt Wheeler and Detective Mark Phippen of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

Wheeler discussed the latest trends in tobacco, new drugs and drug paraphernalia

Phippen told the audience about dealing with teens who have abused spray paint and  White-Out while attending class in school.

Parents who notice significant changes in behavior in their children should consider substance abuse as a possible cause.

The items in the Teenproof simulated bedroom included: 

Beer cans, including one with a hole punctured in the side (a sign of sniffing drugs).

Clothing containing pictures of marijuana.

Bath salts (often inhaled in an attempt to get a high)

A 2-liter pop bottle with a tube, an indicator of an attempt to make meth.

Prescription bill bottle (abuse of prescription drugs is a growing teen trend).

A flashlight, compact and lipstick, which can be used as hiding places for drugs.

Computer duster, which can also be abused by inhaling. 

An empty can of an alcholic energy drink, which looks similar in packaging to non-alcoholic energy drinks, but contains 12 percent alcohol.

The pseudoephedrine cold medicine used to make meth, along with a coffee grinder used to turn the medicine into powder.

For more information see the Above the Influence Web Site or email director  Keiaffa Green at kgreen@asac.us